Sensorized Spherical Joint Bearing for Sliding Shell Wear Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Articulated vehicles with spherical bearings face challenges in wear detection and maintenance complexity due to the limited amplitude of rotational, pitching, and rolling movements, which can lead to safety issues and damage under heavy loads, particularly affecting the plastic sliding shell.
Innovation Solution
Integration of sensors within the spherical joint bearing to monitor wear and damage, including wear sensors in the sliding shell and deformation sensors, which provide timely replacement alerts and ensure safe operation by detecting wear and deformation before disassembly is necessary.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If wear sensors and deformation sensors are integrated into the sliding shell, then wear and damage can be detected timely, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The spherical joint bearing performs self-diagnosis through integrated sensors that automatically detect wear and damage conditions. The sensor system enables the bearing to monitor its own state and trigger replacement alerts without external inspection, transforming a passive component into an active self-monitoring system that improves reliability while managing complexity through automation.
2Measurement precision
If accurate wear measurement is performed, then wear can be detected precisely, but measurement complexity increases and disassembly is required
Solution Approach 1:
Wear sensors are pre-installed on the sliding shell surface at strategic locations where wear occurs. These sensors continuously monitor the thickness and condition of the sliding shell material before critical wear occurs, enabling early detection and timely replacement without requiring disassembly or complex offline measurement procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
Traditional mechanical measurement methods requiring disassembly and complex instrumentation are replaced with integrated electronic sensors embedded directly in the sliding shell. This substitution enables continuous, in-situ monitoring of wear conditions with high precision while eliminating the need for disassembly and complex measurement setups.
3Reliability
If deformation sensors are added to detect overload damage, then damage detection capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Wear sensors and deformation sensors are merged into a single integrated sensor system within the sliding shell. Both sensor types work together to provide comprehensive monitoring of the bearing's condition, detecting both gradual wear and sudden overload damage events. This consolidation improves damage detection capability while managing complexity through unified sensor integration and shared signal processing.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a spherical joint bearing (10), an articulated vehicle, and a method for operating an articulated vehicle. The spherical joint bearing (10) comprises a fork bracket (12) connectable to a first articulated vehicle section, having an upper fork (14) and a lower fork (16), between which a spherical central bearing part (18) is arranged, and an annular joint bracket (30) connectable to a second articulated vehicle section, in which a plastic sliding shell (40) is arranged and fastened, forming a spherical bearing surface (48) for the spherical central bearing part (18), which extends from above an equator (20) of the spherical central bearing part (18) to below the equator (20). The joint bearing has at least one sensor designed and arranged to detect wear or damage to the joint bearing.